With less than three months to go to the start of the 2002 season Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson has issued a heartfelt appeal to all businesses across the south west to come forward and support the club.

Mr Anderson said: "After having a very successful season last year, which was arguably the best ever in the history of the club, we are having great difficulty in finding a sponsor for our Norwich Union League shirts which is very disappointing."

In the past the shirts have been sponsored by The Somerset County Gazette, Dry Blackthorn and Copperhead Cider, but as yet nobody has signed up to sponsor for the forthcoming season.

"Last season we were the only county out of the eighteen first class counties taking part in Norwich Union League who did not have a shirt sponsor, and sadly it looks as though that will stay the same this year," Anderson said.

Last season the Cidermen stepped back into the national cricketing spotlight by winning the prestigious Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy to put an end to an 18-year wait for success, and there is a mood of considerable confidence throughout the club regarding the forthcoming season.

All of the players have been training harder during the closed season than they ever have done before, and are fitter and stronger than they ever have been, and the membership figures are at new record levels for this time of year.

"I know that we are not in a cash rich area, but I am sure that there is someone out there who would like to sponsor our Norwich Union League shirts for 2002," Anderson continued.

Any business that does sponsor the club will receive considerable exposure to the media during the season. Already Somerset Sabres are scheduled to appear in three televised matches, against Yorkshire Phoenix on May 12th, which is the club's Golden Jubilee Day, and the floodlit game against Nottinghamshire Outlaws on August 19th, both of which are at Taunton. The Sabres also appear in front of the cameras against Leicesterhire Foxes at Grace Road on September 11th which is another floodlit match.

The Chief Executive concluded: "I am appealing to businesses across the region to come forward to support their local first class county."

Mr Anderson would be delighted to hear from anyone who wants to find out more about the N.U.L. shirt sponsorship and can be contacted at The County Ground in Taunton, telephone number 01823 272946.

© SOMERSET